U.S. patent application number 11/073992 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for holder for electrical lines and tubes.
This patent application is currently assigned to Airbus Deutschland GmbH. Invention is credited to Guthke, Hans-Peter, Kosiankowski, Lueder, Plate, Hans-Georg, Zeuner, Lutz.
Application Number | 20050205723 11/073992 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34985216 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050205723 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zeuner, Lutz ; et
al. |
September 22, 2005 |
Holder for electrical lines and tubes
Abstract
The present invention relates to a holder for fastening lines
and tubes to a support in aircraft, comprising a base body and at
least one slide-in unit. In this connection, the base body has a
recess for receiving the slide-in unit. The slide-in unit is held
in an end position in the recess. The base body is mountable by
means of the slide-in unit to the support. The holder is formed to
receive lines and tubes having a diameter in the order of magnitude
of 30 to 50 mm thickness.
Inventors: |
Zeuner, Lutz; (Hardebek,
DE) ; Plate, Hans-Georg; (Roseburg, DE) ;
Kosiankowski, Lueder; (Jork, DE) ; Guthke,
Hans-Peter; (Buxtehude, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER, DAVID, LITTENBERG,
KRUMHOLZ & MENTLIK
600 SOUTH AVENUE WEST
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Assignee: |
Airbus Deutschland GmbH
Hamburg
DE
|
Family ID: |
34985216 |
Appl. No.: |
11/073992 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60598242 |
Aug 3, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/72 ;
248/228.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 3/24 20130101; B64C
1/406 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/072 ;
248/228.8 |
International
Class: |
F16L 003/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 8, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 011 185.5 |
Claims
1. A holder for the attachment of lines to a support in aircraft,
the holder comprising: a base body; and at least one slide-in unit;
wherein the base body has a recess for receiving the slide-in unit;
wherein the slide-in unit is held in an end position in the recess;
wherein the base body is mountable onto the support by means of the
slide-in unit; wherein the base body is formed to receive lines
with a diameter in the order of magnitude of 25 to 50 mm
thickness.
2. A holder according to claim 1, comprising: a pin for engagement
into a recess on the support, which pin prevents an axial
displacement of the base body.
3. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the slide-in unit is
releasably connectable with the base body by means of a clip
fastener.
4. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the holder is adapted for
fastening lines to a carrier and is essentially made of
plastic.
5. A method for mounting a cable holder to a support of an
aircraft, wherein the cable holder essentially comprises a base
body and a slide-in unit, the method comprising: mounting the base
body to the support by means of a slide-in unit; inserting the
slide-in unit into a recess, which the base body has for receiving
the slide-in unit; and sliding in the slide-in unit into an end
position in the recess and retaining the slide-in unit in this end
position.
6. A holder for fastening lines to a support in aircraft, the
holder comprising: a base body; and at least one slide-in unit;
wherein the base body has a recess for receiving the slide-in unit;
wherein the slide-in unit is held in an end position in the recess;
wherein the base body is mountable to the support by means of the
slide-in unit; wherein the base body is formed to receive lines
having a diameter in the order of magnitude of 30 to 50 mm
thickness in an arm.
7. An aircraft including a cable holder for the attachment of lines
to a support in aircraft, the holder comprising: a base body; and
at least one slide-in unit; wherein the base body has a recess for
receiving the slide-in unit; wherein the slide-in unit is held in
an end position in the recess; wherein the base body is mountable
onto the support by means of the slide-in unit; wherein the base
body is formed to receive lines with a diameter in the order of
magnitude of 25 to 50 mm thickness.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/598,242 filed Aug. 3,
2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a holder for lines or line
routes in aircraft, as well as a corresponding method.
[0003] For local attachment of at least one line to a component,
many forms of holders are known. These types of holders are used in
air and space travel, in particular, to run lines, bundles of
lines, and tubes. In the state of the art, holders for attaching
electrical lines or guiding electrical line bundles are used in
different areas.
[0004] The holders in the state of the art are attached by screwing
to the transverse carrier or frame. Upon mounting with the aid of
this holder, the problem exists that the available holder must be
screwed in.
[0005] A further disadvantage of these holders is that the holders
must be adapted to the concrete conditions of connection onto the
transverse carrier or frame (former), for example, taking into
consideration the thickness of the bars of the transverse carrier
or the bore diameter.
[0006] In addition, in aircraft construction today, no holders for
larger diameters are known. Line bundles of 25 mm and more, which
are frequently required in aircraft technology, cannot be laid with
the holders available in the state of the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a
holder for fastening of lines to a support in aircraft is provided,
including a base body and at least one slide-in unit. The base body
may have a recess for receiving the slide-in unit, and the slide-in
unit may be held in an end position in the recess. The base body
may be mountable by means of the slide-in unit onto the support,
and the base body may be formed to receive lines with a diameter of
25 to 50 mm thickness.
[0008] As lines, according to the invention, current conducting
materials are designated, which make possible the transmission of
electricity from one location to another. Also bus lines are
included. Depending on the current which is to be transmitted,
therefore, different lines of different shapes and different
weights can be used. When thicker materials are used for higher
currents, this makes placement of these materials more difficult,
since these thicker materials are more difficult to bend or deform.
Likewise, under the term "lines", a line bundle, tubes, air
conditioning pipes, and water pipes, etc., can be included. In
other words, the term "lines" includes tubes, air conditioning
pipes, and water pipes, etc.
[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
holder for an aircraft is provided, which simplifies the local
attachment of lines to a support. As a support, particularly an
elongated, supportive structure is designated. This can be a
T-support or a double-T support, for example. The support may be
reinforced, in order to be able to support higher loads. The holder
of this embodiment may include a base body and a slide-in unit. The
part, which is not guided into the recess of the base body, may
lie, then, when the slide-in unit has reached its end position in
the base unit, directly on the belt of the support. The base body
and the slide-in unit may encompass the belt of the support. The
holder therefore may sit firmly on the support. Therefore, a
vertical side of the slide-in unit may lie on the vertical side of
the belt or chord, the two attached horizontal sides of the
slide-in unit may terminate directly over or under the vertical
sides of the support. Thus, the base body is fixedly connected with
the support when the slide-in unit is guided into the recess
provided for this purpose. According to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, an improved holder for aircraft is thus
provided.
[0010] The inner part of the base body may have a recess. This
recess can be flat or structured so that, for example, by the
application of horizontal groovings or similarly structured
depressions, a better hold of the slide-in during insertion into
the recess can be achieved. According to this exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, the holder is manufactured, such that it
can accommodate lines or also line skeins having a diameter with a
size of 30 to 50 mm thickness. The large line skeins or strands can
therefore be laid down during mounting in an arm of the base body.
The line premounted in this manner or the premounted line skein can
be aligned and fixed by means of a cable tie or binder.
[0011] In a further exemplary embodiment, the holder may be made
such that it can be fixed by means of a pin to the support. The pin
thereby may prevent displacement of the base body, such as, for
example, an axial displacement.
[0012] In a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the
holder is made, such that the retention of the slide-in unit is
realized by means of a clip fastener.
[0013] In another exemplary embodiment, the base body and slide-in
unit are made of essentially one material. This material may be
plastic. For example, the base body and the slide-in unit can be
made by an injection molding method. The base body and slide-in
unit also can be made from plastic, and at the same time, have a
reinforced structure of metal. This can be advantageous, in
particular, when lines of larger diameter and higher net weight are
to be laid. The base body and slide-in unit, however, also can be
made from metal and have additional structures made of plastic.
This can be appropriate when the parts that are in direct contact
with the lines have properties of a plastic structure, which lead
to a greater gripping of the structure for the lines and, for
example, prevent slipping of the lines.
[0014] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
method for placing lines on a support, in particular in aircraft,
by means of a holder is provided, wherein the holder may
essentially comprise a base body and a slide-in unit; the method
may include the steps of inserting the slide-in unit into the
corresponding recess of the base body, which the base body may have
for accommodating the slide-in unit, and holding the slide-in unit
in an end position in the recess, wherein the holder may be formed
such that the lines with a diameter of 25 to 50 mm thickness can be
accommodated.
[0015] In a further exemplary embodiment, a use of a holder for
attaching lines to a support is provided, wherein the holder may
essentially include a base body and a slide-in unit, and the base
body may have a recess for accommodating the slide-in unit, and the
slide-in unit may be held in an end position in the recess. This
use of the holder may make possible accommodating lines having a
diameter of 25 to 50 mm thickness.
[0016] In a further exemplary embodiment, an aircraft with a holder
for attaching lines to a support having the above mentioned
features is provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Further details and advantages of the holder of the present
invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the
embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the figures:
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a holder in a side
view.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a holder in a front view.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of a holder in a front
view.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a holder in a front
view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of a
holder according to the present invention. According to the
invention, the holder may be mounted onto a support, for example,
to a double-T support. A double-T support may essentially comprise
two horizontal surfaces, the belt 11 and a surface connecting it,
the bar 12. Depending on the requirements and specifications, the
proportions between the belt 11 and the bar 12 can vary. In any
case, such supports may have a surface--for example, the lower
horizontal surface, the lower belt 11, can be used for mounting the
base body 1. The lower belt 11 of the support has a short, upwardly
extending side on its side facing away the bar 12, which connects
to the belt 11. This short vertical surface is designated as bar 5.
The holder of the present invention, upon mounting, may be placed
on the bar 5.
[0023] The holder shown in FIG. 1 for attachment of electrical
lines to a support 3 in aircraft may have a base body 1. The base
body 1 may sit directly on the belt 11 of the support 3. According
to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base body
1 and the slide-in unit 2 (or plug-in module) are made
substantially of a plastic material. For example, the base body 1
and the slide-in unit 2 can be made in an injection molding method.
The base body 1 may essentially have a flat structure. Its size can
be varied depending on the lines to be laid. Above, the surface of
the base body 1 can be defined by the bordering belt 11 of the
support 3, below by the positioned arm 4, in which lines are laid
during assembly.
[0024] On the lower side of the base body facing away from the
support, an arm 4 is located, in which the lines can be placed. The
arm supports the lines, which are to be laid. Depending on the
thickness or diameter of the lines which are to be laid, base
bodies 1 of different sizes can be chosen. The arm 4 may have a
round, hook-shaped, upwardly open shape. Different shapes can be
used, depending on the composition of the lines. Thus, arms can be
used, which have one or more round, hook-shaped, upwardly opened
shapes. For placement of more massive lines with a higher net
weight, shapes with reinforcements can be selected. Since the base
body 1 is defined above by the support 3 and below by the arm 4 for
receiving the lines, lines can be placed, which have a maximum
diameter, which corresponds to the distance between the top side of
the arm 4 and the bottom side of the belt of the support 3. The use
of a base body 1 with a greater distance between the arm 4 and the
belt or chord 11 makes possible the placement of lines with larger
diameters.
[0025] The base body 1 may have a recess 9 for receiving the
slide-in unit. According to an exemplary embodiment of the
invention, the recess 9 runs parallel to the belt 11 of the support
3. The slide-in unit 2 may be inserted into this recess 9.
[0026] The slide-in unit 2 may fit as exactly as possible into the
recess 9 and may be free of a play. The slide-in unit 2 may
comprise two parts, one part that is completely inserted into the
recess of the base body, and one part 10, which remains outside of
the recess. This part 10, which remains outside of the recess, is
placed on the bar 5 of the support, and is adapted in its
dimensions to this. Thus, it has a vertical surface, which runs
parallel to the bar 5 of the support 3. Two horizontal surfaces,
which may be placed exactly above and below the bar 5, terminate at
this vertical surface. When the slide-in unit 2 is completely
inserted into the recess 9, this device may encompass the bar 5.
The upper horizontal surface may terminate exactly over the bar 5
of the support 3, the lower exactly under the arm 5.
[0027] Because the part of the slide-in unit 2 is held in the
recess 9 of the base body 1 and the other part 10, which remains
outside of the recess 9, encompasses the bar 5, the base body 1 is
connected firmly with the support 3 after insertion of the slide-in
unit 2.
[0028] The recess 9 can be formed differently. For instance, it may
be an elongated structure, which extends through the base body 1
parallel to the belt 11 of the support 3. By placement of the
horizontal surfaces on the bar 5 and the secure hold connected
therewith, also a high mechanical stability is achieved, which is
necessary in order to hold lines with higher weight.
[0029] According to one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the base body 1 has two recesses 9, through which a
slide-in unit 2 can be inserted into the base body 1 from two
sides. This can be appropriate, for example, with the mounting of
holders to relatively wide supports 3, where it is necessary that
two holders be mounted over the width of the support 3, or with
very big lines, for which one holder alone does not provide
sufficient stability. Alternatively, at the tip of the part of the
slide-in unit 2 that is inserted into the recess 9, an additional
device can be mounted, which may make possible hooking-together two
slide-in units 2, which can be inserted into the recess 9 from two
opposite sides until they reach the end position, which further
increases stability. This hooking can take place in a further
exemplary embodiment by means of a clip fastener 8.
[0030] The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2 in a side
view.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of a holder according to
the present invention for fastening electrical lines to a support
3. The basic concept of the holder corresponds to the embodiment of
the holder according to FIG. 1. The same parts are provided with
the same reference numerals.
[0032] In addition to the embodiment of the holder shown in FIG. 1,
the base body 1, after it is inserted into an installation bore 6
of the support 3, is connected by means of a pin 7 with the support
3. With this pin 7, an axial displacement of the holder is avoided.
The pin is inserted through an installation bore 6, which the belt
11 of the support 3 and the base body 1 have, and after the base
body 1 is placed on the belt 11 of the support, such that both
bores 6 are aligned exactly with one another. The pin 7 can be made
of different materials, preferably from plastic or metal.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the holder of the
present invention for attaching electrical lines to a support 3.
The basic concept of the holder corresponds to the embodiment of
the holder in FIG. 1. The same parts are provided with the same
reference numerals.
[0034] In addition to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the slide-in
unit 2 is provided with a clip fastener 8. The slide-in unit 2 is
inserted into the recess 9 of the base body 1, until it locks at
the end with the clip fastener. With this connection, a fast and
secure retention of the slide-in unit 2 is guaranteed and
unintended slipping-out is avoided. When the part of the slide-in
unit 2, which is inserted into the recess of the base body 1, has
reached the end position, this clip fastener 8 connects
automatically and thereby prevents an unintended slipping-out of
the slide-in unit 2. The holder therefore sits fixedly on the
support 3. The base body 1 and the slide-in unit 2 encompass the
bar 5 of the support 3. In a further embodiment, the possibility
exists of opening the clip fastener 8 again by inserting a pointed
object, for example, a thin tool into a position provided for that
purpose. This is advantageous, then, for example, when a slide-in
unit 2 is taken out and is to be replaced by slide-in unit 1 of a
different size.
[0035] It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not
exclude other elements or steps and the "a" or "an" does not
exclude a plurality. Also elements described in association with
different embodiments may be combined.
[0036] It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims
shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
* * * * *